A Deliciously Grouchy Poem

My friend, R. introduced me to Louise Bogan's poetry, and I dearly love them both. Both are poets, both exhibit little patience with guff, disloyalty, ignorance, self-indulgance, or the kind of religious and or political bellicosity that is too often mistaken for conviction in this country. Both are quick to outrage, and both are just as quick to laugh. Neither ever had a face for poker. Louise said, “Stupidity always accompanies evil. Or evil, stupidity,” and with that, I should think, dear R., would heartily agree. Stupidity drives him mad. Evil, real evil, well... let's just say I wouldn't want to be the one doing it around either of these two. For all that, neither was ever intentionally unkind, said a graceless thing, or did less than their best -- though not without untold struggle -- when putting down a poem. Both have proved to be some of the best company I keep. Here then, a little poem by Louise Bogan, on poets, good and bad, for my good friend, the good poet. (Try this one out on your next poetry group, darling.)